NEENAH — While a cause for the deadly explosion in Waupaca County over the weekend is not yet known, the incident brings up the concern about gas leaks.
Most people don't have furnaces or gas lines checked until they’re buying or selling a house, but home inspectors say that could cost you in the long run.
Chris Rank, the owner of Inspect Rite, says furnaces should be checked for issues like leaking on a yearly basis, especially in older homes. He says, on average, about 1 in 5 homes that he inspects has a gas leak, big or small present, an issue that many homeowners don't even know about.
"Just routine maintenance and diligence, come down and visit your appliances every once in a while and just do a small check around them,” said Rank. “Do you smell anything and how does it function when it turns on doesn't sound like it's stuttering or having difficulty or is it just a routine start up."
If you have gas appliances in your home like a gas stove, a gas fireplace, or a gas dryer, an inspection could be a bit more costly. But on average it shouldn't run you more than $200.
